Connecticut Ave. Complex Fits In Extra Roommates -- And All Their Stuff

Although it doesn't have the fancy trappings of a newer apartment building, the Albemarle has no shortage of one of the most coveted aspects of city living: space.

"The size of the units is huge," said William Malloy, 78, who has lived in the building on Connecticut Avenue NW for just more than a decade. He said he considered moving when a new luxury apartment complex went up down the street, but he stuck with the Albemarle. Despite its attractive design and amenities, the new building could not accommodate his large furniture as comfortably.

"Overall, it's remarkable value for the dollar, when you consider the size of the apartments and the convenience," he said.

Allison Gerhart, 20, said, "It's really big, so three people can live in a two-bedroom and still have their own space." She and her roommates, all students at American University, live in a unit where a partition divides the living room to create a third sleeping area.

Besides spacious living rooms, the Albemarle has generous closets and large kitchen pantries. Efficiencies have walk-in closets with ample shelving, and many one-bedroom units have two walk-in closets in the bedroom, in addition to two hallway coat closets. On-site storage units are also available for rent.

The building was built in 1958 by local developer Charles E. Smith, and the real estate mogul resided there for several years. Now the property is managed by Archstone, which owns and runs many of the region's former Smith properties.

The building has had numerous rounds of upgrades in the past 50 years, and not every unit was included in each set of changes. As a result, the kitchen fixtures and appliances vary from apartment to apartment. A few kitchens have stainless-steel dishwashers, microwaves and refrigerators paired with granite countertops; others have wood cabinets and white appliances; still others retain the original metal cabinets and small, retro-looking ovens.

Most units have oak parquet flooring, but about 10 percent have carpeting.

Over the decades, residents have personalized the units by painting, changing bathroom fixtures or even adding partition walls. As long as incoming tenants did not mind these alterations, management has kept them. As a result, few apartments have the same look and style.

In addition to a 24-hour concierge and front-desk service, the Albemarle employs a doorman several days a week from about 3 to 11 p.m., an increasingly rare but welcoming touch.

The building has some outdoor space, including a courtyard speckled with flowering trees and a roof deck that community manager Mark Hannan said will be outfitted with a new gazebo and patio furniture this spring.

When the weather is warm, Gerhart said, "I'll go and just spend the morning up there reading."